So many sites, so little time...
By Jeanine Katzel, Senior Editor, Web Content -- Plant Engineering, 9/1/2000
As anyone who has ever surfed the web can attest, finding the right information when you need it is an ongoing challenge. New web sites are being launched every day and the volume of information offered continues to explode.
Recently, we asked readers to tell us about sites they have found to be particularly useful in their work. We plan to share this information periodically in this column and on our web site. Here are a few favorites that you might want to visit and bookmark.
Searching...
www.northernlight.com. This search engine is about information. Designed to make obtaining information easy, it finds information based on natural language entries and guides users through simple searches, power searches, business searches, and more. Search resources include a special collection of more than 6900 full-text publications organized into custom search folders to tailor results more precisely. ( Thanks to Ray Arguello for submitting this site. )
www.thomasregional.com. Many manufacturing facilities are finding the Thomas Regional Directories to be as useful as the Thomas Register. This large industrial database of local services and suppliers can be searched by product, service, company name, or brand name. Users have access to more than 520,000 distributors, manufacturers, and service companies. Or they may browse any of 6000 product/service categories. ( Thanks to Joe Goldian for suggesting this site. )
www.bestroute.com. This electrical industry search engine is extremely fast, powerful, and industry specific. It gives users access to trade products and tools not typically stocked locally and helps find all kinds of electrical industry information. The site anticipates adding search engines for other industries in the months ahead. ( Thanks to John Hoeschele for letting us know about this site. )
www.ceoexpress.com. Site designed with the busy executive in mind includes links to all sorts of business information.
www.environ.com. Environmental compliance portal now includes e-business HVAC solutions through a recent agreement with HVAC/R commerce site eCaribou.com (www.eCaribou.com).
Facilities education alert
Facilities America 2000 is an event plant engineers can ill afford to miss. The Association for Facilities Engineering hosts its national conference and exposition October 14-18 in St. Louis. Highlights include opportunities to study for and earn Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) and Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) credentials. Also on the agenda are a keynote address by Marshall Brain (www.HowStuffWorks.com) and indepth educational sessions. Registration information and program details are available by calling 513-489-2473 or visiting the AFE web site (www.afe.org).
The Chicago chapter of AFE has compiled a comprehensive collection of helpful links of all types ( www.afechicago.org/redalert.html ).
Job-seeking plant engineers might find some assistance at www.FacilityCareers.com.
